Fee-for-service advice emulates professions like accountancy and law, where conversations with clients go along the lines of "here's what I can do for you, and here's a clear description of how much I will charge you for my services"

For $75 an hour, Vancouver's Marie Robinson will sit down with you and provide coaching in debt management, investing and other aspects of personal finance.

Gordon Stockman of Port Credit, Ont., charges $160 per hour for the more traditional financial planning he provides to clients, with a full plan costing around $3,000. Robert Novoselac of Toronto charges $125 per hour for investment advice and has some clients who pay an annual fee of $750 for his services.

Over at Weigh House Investor Services, with offices in the greater Toronto area, Windsor, Ont., and Halifax, a detailed second opinion on your portfolio will cost roughly $1,000 to $1,500, and a full financial plan will run between $2,000 and $2,500.